My 2013

London 2013

Now that 2013 is left behind, it is somehow easier to look back and understand what last year was all about. 

2013 has been a hard year for me, in almost every possible way. I entered 2013 from the cold loneliness of a cute London house, watching the lazy snowflakes, sipping on some tea, eating biscuits and missing my hubby who was at the other end of the world. We had been long distance for 18 months already, were half married (ceremony in my home country), and I had given up a good job for one that would keep me sane at least -meaning: keeping me close to my church.

That night, when I prayed over 2013, I sketched up my resolution: to basically be reunited with my hubby and finally start our lives together. Also, I secretly wished, but did not dare to pray, that this would happen by May, so that the famous Alaskan winter would be almost gone and so I could also attend the Hillsong Women's Colour Conference with my sister - a surprise I had in mind for her.

Then 2013 hit hard and quickly, and it all felt like nothing new was about to happen. January was cold, dark, and wet, and then February felt better as hubby came to visit. Then March felt cold again, with long working hours every day and hardly any time for a book to read or a run at the gym. I struggled to believe my prayers would be answered, and the only strength I had was in the God I knew, in the lattes with friends, and in the shopping Saturdays I loved.

 Then all of a sudden I was announced that my visa was finalizing. Between all the mixed feelings of uncertainty still, I decided to quit my job, and arranged for my sister to come over for the Colour Conference. After that, it all worked like in a scripted dream: my sister came over and we had a great sister to sister time, I had my visa, shipped my things and was flying over to my new life. By the end of May, we were fully married and we started our 'together' life in June.

My year resolution was all completed, but God's wasn't. Ha!!! I still had to learn to be happy and content being in a foreign country where everything was new. I had never been without a job before, so there I was, a home stay wife, cooking and cleaning like I was born with the spoon and broom in my hands. Not that I was any good, but I was trying. Besides learning to drive, take care of a pet hubby came home with one day, I learnt to feed our marriage first and not my emotions. I learnt to be content and happy in this beautiful place that does not define me at all - but a place where I had all the time in the world to read, go to the gym and sleep. It all felt a bit like a holiday after my tiring London life, and I am touched that God even chose to have me rest. He does answer even the silent prayers! It also felt like a burning fire where I was being modeled into this kind of wife, pet person (never had a pet before, and never felt the need or wish for one), and I had to embrace it.

Overall, It has been a good and a full year!

And stepping into 2014, I am sure that it can only be the same good type of year, as it has the sealing of the same God that loves and cares. The new year comes with new dreams and prayers, and it is all fascinating how life always changes, and we are more and more refined into being what we were meant to be.

Happy New Years to you!